Seasons Change–Are You Ready for Fall?

Today Terrier Torrent is pleased to welcome Guest Blogger Kat Sherbo. Kat is an editor and blogger at The Wet Nose Press and PetCareRx.com. She’s a Colorado native living it up in New York City, and is a lifelong dog parent.

Steer Clear of These 6 Hazards With Your Dog This Fall

The leaves have changed colors, the air is crisp, and you and your dog are ready to tackle that list of fun fall activities you’ve lined up! Whether, like Gizmo, you’re planning some geocaching adventures, a hike through the woods, or even kayaking with your dog (if the water’s not too cold!), you’ll want to be sure your pet stays safe and has the best time possible. Autumn and winter bring with them a few unique hazards for pets. Here’s how to steer clear of them and head straight for fall fun. Even in Florida we have a change of seasons, so we appreciate this timely advice…

1. Make sure your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date

Rabies cases can spike in wild animals in the fall, which means there’s more danger to you and your pets. There is no cure for rabies once symptoms begin, and the CDC even advises that pets be put down if it’s suspected they have rabies, to prevent the spread to humans. Make sure this horrible situation is never your problem by keeping your dog’s vaccinations up to date.

2. Beware of grumpy snakes

While we’re on the topic of wildlife, snakes will be preparing for hibernation in the fall months, and they can be easily aggravated during this time. A curious dog sniffing down a hole in the ground could provoke a snake bite, and some snakes are venomous. Snakes can camouflage themselves well, especially in piles of fallen leaves like this one is doing…

Poisonous snakes in the US include rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins, and coral snakes. If you dog is bitten by a snake, get medical help right away! But the best course is prevention: consider keeping your dog leashed on all walks, especially if they’re the over-curious type.

3. Don’t let your dog munch mushrooms

Not all mushrooms are poisonous to dogs, but some are, so it’s best to steer clear. Don’t let your pet run off to sniff things you can’t see, and if your dog does scarf down a mushroom, call Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

4. Keep antifreeze and rodenticides away from pets

Antifreeze and engine coolants are toxic to dogs and can cause death in a matter of hours. The ASPCA cautions that “ethylene glycol-based coolants are highly toxic” and that propylene glycol-based coolants are still dangerous but “are much less toxic than other engine coolants.” Buying these instead could mean extra time to get your dog to a vet in an emergency. (Again the number for Animal Poison Control is (888) 426-4435.)

As the weather gets colder, we often crank up the heat, which can dry out our homes. Just as your hands may get chapped easier in the winter, your dog’s skin may be feeling extra itchy as well. You can add fish oils (Omega 3s) to your dog’s food as a supplement to promote skin and coat health, use a humidifier in the room they spend the most time in, and use doggy sweaters and booties to keep your pet’s skin safe from harsher temperatures while you’re out adventuring. An easy and inexpensive way to supplement is just to add a sardine packed in olive oil with no added salt to your dog’s kibble. Gizmo loves his fish. He usually gets 1/2 a sardine per day which is only about 25 calories.

Colder weather means more pain and inflammation from arthritis. If your dog suffers from joint pain, painkillers like Rimadyl or Novox can make them feel better, as can supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin. Heating pads or a heated bed can also make them more comfortable.

Remember that some exercise is essential for all dogs, even dogs with arthritis, but too much can exacerbate a dog’s arthritic pain. So don’t cancel your fall activities, just be sure to find activities that aren’t too strenuous.

I’d like to thank Kat for these great seasonal reminders. Tips like these are all part of keeping your pup fit and healthy so I’m linking up to the FitDog Friday blog hop…Check out all today’s entries for more great fitness tips…

Great advice! Thanks for having Kat share that with us, Beth & Gizmo. Fortunately there are no poisonous snakes in our part of Cascadia but the mushrooms were crazy this fall! The boys sniffed various mushrooms but I watched them like a hawk to make sure there was no nibbling. It’s now that the fungus are all squishy and scattered on the ground that I worry more about someone sneaking in a lick!

Wow! Thanks Gizmo!! Now we are going to try sardines for our dinner!! We simply cannot thank you enough!! We do get Omega 3’s in a little droplet thingie in our food and occasionally tuna or tilapia…we just love fish!! xo Chloe and LadyBugbichonpawz recommends They Did It…And Included Beemer!

Great tips! I’m definitely sharing this. Mushrooms are a problem for us this year. So when I do poop patrol in our yard, I also have to look out for mushrooms. One of my friend’s dogs got really sick recently from eating mushrooms. She’s okay now, though.Dawn recommends Follow Up Friday #19

Great advice Gizmo…we have the dogs on lead on our property during spring and summer..too many rabbit holes, snakes.etc…and they have sardines in their meals once a week for their coats and bones..luckily we don’t have Rabies in this country ..care must be taken too if people are baiting pests that your doggie doesn’t eat a dead one and get poisoned..stay safe everyone hugs Fozziemum xxBev Green recommends FRIDAYZ ARE BUZY DAYZ

OMD!! Sardineies??!! OH.MY.DOG. That is soooo yummy Gizmo!! Is there any problems with the bones?
Oh, I would LOVE this!! I loves fishies, butts Ma hates fish, and so I don’t really get much. Butts I think she would hold her nose if I begged all cute and stuffs!! BOL
I gotta get Ma on this one!!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥Ruby recommends Wordless Wednesday

EXCELLENT….. We see that EVERYBUDDY is gettin ALL OVER the SARDEEEEEN thingy… don’t furget that they have BONES …which is GOOD fur OUR BONES… in addition to the other stuffs that they have in them. AND they are CHEAP sources of them too!!

I didn’t know rabies spiked in the fall, that’s good to know! Also, I love the sardine idea, we give Duke some salmon oil on top of his kibble but a sardine sounds like a good idea too. Thanks for sharing!Jessica @ Life with Duke recommends 20 Facts About Duke

Great guest Gizmo. We use pilchards every so often for our coats and we love them. Lucky for us no grumpy snakes over here across the pond.
Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes MollyMolly The Wally recommends Fog Blog, I Can See Clearly Now Says Mystic Molly!

Mushrooms are an important one. Chester and Gretel will eat anything so I have to stop them. There were already some cases of dogs getting sick from eating mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest.Jessica@YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner recommends Zuke’s Giveaway and Party

Gizmo you are my hero! Thanks for this post, now mom promised me such a sardine thingy! Wow that grumpy snake was well coverd between the leaves, we should be really careful.easy rider recommends easyblog THANKFUL THURSDAY